Biological Sample Collection Device

ABSTRACT

Methods of using a biological sample collection device comprising a collection portion and a body portion, the body portion including a holding portion for holding a biological sample storage medium, and a sample transfer means, such as a cover. The collection portion can be arranged in a first position separated from the body portion for collecting a sample, and in a second position at least partly between the sample transfer means and the holding portion, with the sample transfer means being operable to push the collection portion towards a position at which the holding means is arranged to hold the biological sample storage medium, enabling a sample held in the collection portion to be transferred to the latter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/122,291, allowed, filed Nov. 26, 2013, which was filed under 35U.S.C. §371 of international application number PCT/EP2012/059683, filedMay 24, 2012, published on Dec. 6, 2012, as WO 2012/163788, which claimspriority to application number 1108962.0 filed in Great Britain on May27, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated by referenceherewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for collecting and storingbiological samples.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Biological samples, such as saliva taken for DNA profiling in criminalinvestigations, are commonly taken by swabbing a liquid containingbiological material with an absorbent collection medium. Such collectionmedia are, by necessity, exposed, and are therefore vulnerable tocontamination. To maintain the integrity of the samples, they aretypically transferred to and held in an absorbent storage medium, whichmay comprise a membrane impregnated with chemicals for stabilising thesample. The samples are allowed to dry and, once dry, the biologicalstorage medium can be stored or transported to a testing facility foranalysis.

Such methods of transferring biological samples from the collectionmedium to the storage medium typically involve bringing the collectionmedium into physical contact with the storage medium, perhaps with theapplication of a moderate amount of mechanical force; some of the liquidsample is then drawn by capillary action into the sample storage medium.Conventionally, this is a manual process and therefore consistent anduniform transfer of the biological sample from the collection medium tothe storage medium depends heavily on the skill of the operator.

US2008/196517 proposes an integrated collection, transfer, and storagedevice into which a biological sample storage medium may be inserted.The device comprises a sample collection surface that can be broughtinto physical contact with the sample storage medium. However, theconstruction of the device is such that direct contact between theoperator and the collection portion of the device is necessary totransfer biological material; this is undesirable, as it may result incontamination of the sample and/or discomfort for the operator. Further,the force applied by an operator to cause transfer of the biologicalmaterial may be uneven, causing the resulting transfer to beinconsistent and non-uniform.

It is an object of the present invention to mitigate the problems of theprior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda biological sample collection device, comprising:

a collection portion carrying a biological sample collection medium; and

a body portion comprising a storage medium holding portion for holding abiological sample storage medium at a holding position, and a sampletransfer means,

the collection portion being movably connected to the body portion,whereby the biological sample collection device is capable of beingconfigured according to a first configuration and according to a second,different, configuration, wherein:

in said first configuration, the collection portion is at a firstposition spatially separated from the body portion for collecting abiological sample on the biological sample collection medium; and

in said second configuration, the collection portion is at a secondposition at least partly between the sample storage medium holdingportion and the sample transfer means, and the sample transfer means isoperable to apply a force to the collection portion, whereby saidcollection portion is compelled towards said holding position so that,when the storage medium holding portion holds a biological samplestorage medium, the biological sample collection medium is pushedagainst said biological sample storage medium.

By providing a sample transfer means which is operable to apply a forceto the collection portion to transfer a biological sample from thecollection medium to the storage medium, the sample can be transferredfrom the sample collection medium to the sample storage medium, withoutany direct contact between the operator and the sample collectionportion. Further, the more evenly applied pressure allowed by indirectlytransmitting the force and spreading the load over a larger area resultsin a uniform transfer of the sample from the collection portion to thestorage medium holding portion.

Preferably, when the collection portion is at said second position, thebiological sample collection medium is in a position separated from saidholding position. This facilitates faster post-collection drying of thesample.

In some embodiments, the collection portion is connected to the bodyportion via an arm portion that is arranged to flex from said secondposition towards the holding position in response to said force.

In some embodiments, the sample transfer means comprises a substantiallyflat cover portion. This enables the biological sample collection deviceto be substantially flat, which is convenient for subsequent storage andtransportation of the device. The biological sample collection devicemay be arranged such that, when the collection portion is at said secondposition, the collection portion is at least partly enclosed by thecover portion and the storage medium holding portion. This providesprotection to the biological sample after transfer to the biologicalsample storage medium.

In some embodiments, the sample transfer means comprises a compressiblerecess portion, and said operation of the sample transfer meanscomprises compression of the recess portion. The recess portion may haveat least one dimension substantially matching a corresponding dimensionof the collection portion, so that the collection portion may locate insaid recess portion when the device is in the second configuration. Therecess portion may thus serve as guide the collection portion so thatthe latter is correctly located with respect to the biological samplestorage medium, improving the reliability of sample transfer thereto.

In some embodiments, the collection portion is connected to the storagemedium holding portion via a swivel joint, which enables the collectionportion to move between said first position and said second position.The storage medium holding portion may define a plane for holding saidbiological sample storage medium and the swivel joint may enable thecollection portion to swivel about an axis substantially within saidplane.

In some embodiments, the swivel joint enables the collection portion toswivel about an axis substantially perpendicular to said plane. A gapmay be provided between the sample transfer means and the storage mediumholding portion and the swivel joint may enable the collection portionto move through said gap. This enables the sample transfer means to befixed with respect with to the storage medium holding portion, allowinga simple structure for the biological sample collection device.

In some embodiments, the collection portion is connected to the storagemedium holding portion via a slide joint, which enables translation ofthe collection portion between said first position and said secondposition.

In some embodiments, the sample transfer means is movably connected tosaid storage medium portion between an open position, for facilitatingmovement of the collection portion from said first position to saidsecond position, and a closed position for enabling operation of thesample transfer means to apply said force.

In some embodiments, a locking means is provided for locking said sampletransfer means in at least one of said closed position and said openposition. This reduces the risk of the sample being exposed tocontamination.

In some embodiments, a locking means is provided for locking saidcollection portion in at least one of said first position and saidsecond position.

In some embodiments, the sample collection medium comprises an absorbentmaterial for absorbing a liquid biological sample.

In some embodiments, the storage medium holding portion holds abiological sample storage medium.

In some embodiments, the biological sample storage medium is removablefrom said storage medium holding portion.

In some embodiments, the biological sample storage medium comprises aplanar membrane for absorbing liquid biological samples.

In some embodiments, the biological sample storage medium is held on acard.

In some embodiments, the biological sample collection device is madefrom a plastics material.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description of illustrative embodiments of theinvention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a shows a perspective view of a biological sample collectiondevice in a first configuration according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 1 b shows a perspective view of the biological sample collectiondevice of FIG. 1 a in a second configuration;

FIG. 1 c shows a side view of the biological sample collection device ofFIG. 1 a;

FIG. 1 d shows a perspective view of a storage medium holding portionfor use with a biological sample collection device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 e shows a perspective view of a hinged portion for use with abiological sample collection device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 a shows a partial section view of a sample transfer means of thebiological sample collection device of FIG. 1 in a first position;

FIG. 2 b shows the sample transfer means of FIG. 2 a in a secondposition;

FIG. 3 a shows a first perspective view of a biological samplecollection device according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 b shows a second perspective view of a biological samplecollection device according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 a shows a plan view of an alternative arrangement of a biologicalsample collection device in a first configuration;

FIG. 4 b shows a plan view of the biological sample collection device ofFIG. 4 a in a second configuration; and

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of another alternative arrangement of abiological sample collection device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c show a biological sample collection device 100,according to a first embodiment of the invention. The device 100comprises a body portion 102, which includes a storage medium holdingportion (hereinafter “holding portion”) 104 connected to a sampletransfer means in the form of a cover 106, and a collection portion 108,which is connected to the body portion 102 by a movable arm 110. Theholding portion 104 is arranged to hold a biological sample storagemedium at a holding position, as is described below in relation toFigure ld. The device 100 can be arranged according to each of twoconfigurations. In a first configuration, shown in FIG. 1 a andhereinafter referred to as the “collection” configuration, the arm 110is fully extended so that the collection portion 108 is in a“collection” position, spatially separated from the body portion 102, soas to be suitable for collection of a biological sample. In thecollection configuration, the collection portion 108 is typicallyseparated from the body portion 102 by a separation of between 5 and 15cm. This degree of separation is sufficient to allow the collectionportion 108 to be used to collect a sample, by, for example, insertingthe collection portion 108 into the mouth of a human subject withoutaccess being obstructed by the body portion 102.

In a second configuration, shown in FIG. 1 b, hereinafter referred to asthe “transfer” configuration, the collection portion 108 is in a“transfer” position between the holding portion 104 and the cover 106,for transferring a collected biological sample from the samplecollection surface to a sample storage medium held (not shown in FIGS. 1a to 1 c) in the holding portion 104, as is described below in relationto FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

In the present example, the collection portion 108 comprises a plate112, and a sample collection medium 114 for collecting a biologicalsample. The collection medium 114 may comprise an absorbent material,such as a porous, hydrophilic, polyurethane foam pad. Typically, thecollection medium 114 has a diameter of approximately 2.5 cm. The arm110 comprises a proximal arm portion 110 a and a distal arm portion 110b connected by a swivel joint, for example a hinge, hereinafter referredto as an arm hinge 132. The arm hinge 132 enables the collection portion108 to be moved between the collection position and the transferposition. The arm hinge 132 allows the collection portion 108 to rotateabout a fixed axis in a plane substantially perpendicular to the planeof the holding portion 104 (i.e. the plane that the holding portion 104defines for holding a biological sample storage medium). The arm hinge132 may be a film hinge formed by providing a section of the arm 110that is thin relative to the rest of the arm 110, as shown in FIGS. 1 a,1 b, and 1 c. Alternatively, the arm hinge 132 may be a barrel hinge, asshown in FIG. 1 e, with part of the arm hinge 132 on one part of the arm110 and another part of the barrel hinge 132 on another part of the arm110. The two parts of the arm hinge 132 are joined by a common axle 134.Other types of hinges may be used.

In some embodiments, the arm hinge 132 comprises a lock (not shown),which, when engaged, prevents movement of the arm 110. The lock may be afriction lock or may comprise interlocking features that provideresistance to movement of the arm 110, for example.

In the present example, the cover 106 is movably connected to theholding portion 104 by a hinge, hereinafter referred to as a cover hinge128, which allows the cover to be moved from an open position, as shownin FIG. 1 a, to a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1 b.

Other types of movable connector may be used to connect the cover 106 tothe holder portion 104; for example, in some embodiments, a slidingconnection may be used, so that the cover can be slid between open andclosed positions.

FIG. 1 b shows locks 130, positioned either side of the arm 110, holdingthe cover 106 in a closed position. The locks 130 shown in FIG. 1 b area snap-shut latch type; however, other types of lock may be used.Further, in some embodiments, a single lock is used. The lock or locks130 can be unlocked in order to allow the cover 106 to be reopened forremoval of the biological sample storage medium for subsequentprocessing.

The cover 106 may further comprise a recess 126. The recess 126 is forlocating the collection portion 108 in the transfer position. For thatpurpose it may have at least one dimension corresponding to a dimensionof the collection portion 108. The recess 126 may also be used intransferring the sample from the collection medium 114 to the biologicalsample storage medium, as is described below in relation to FIGS. 2 aand 2 b.

Moving the device 100 between the transfer configuration and thecollection configuration typically involves moving the cover 106 fromthe closed position to the open position (releasing any lock or locks asappropriate), and moving the arm 102 (again, releasing any lock orlocks, where appropriate) from the transfer position with the collectionmedium 114 positioned facing the holding portion 104, to the collectionposition, with the arm fully extended. The reverse operation returns thedevice 100 to the transfer configuration. FIG. 1 c shows the device 100being moved between the transfer and collection configurations. Thedevice 100 is typically stored in the transfer configuration prior touse, arranged in the collection configuration when collecting a sample,and then returned to the transfer configuration for transfer of thesample to the sample storage medium and subsequent storage and/ortransportation.

Exemplary dimensions of the biological sample collection device are asfollows. The body portion 102 is typically approximately 5.6 cm wide atits widest point. The length of the arm 110 from the body portion 102 tothe collection portion 108 is typically approximately 13.5 cm. Thelength of the device 100 in the collection configuration, with the arm110 fully extended and with the cover 106 in the closed position may beapproximately 19 cm.

FIG. 1 d shows an illustrative holding portion 104, comprising acompartment 116, for holding, at a holding position, a card 118 carryinga biological sample storage medium 119; for clarity, the collectionportion 108 and the cover 106 are not shown in FIG. 1 d. In the presentexample, the biological sample storage medium 119 is carried in a card118; however, it will be understood that embodiments of the presentinvention are not limited to such examples, and other arrangements forcarrying storage media 119 may be used.

The biological sample storage medium 119 is typically an absorbentmembrane storage medium, and may be treated with chemicals to stabilisesamples stored on the medium. Examples of suitable storage media 119include untreated paper such as #903® brand paper (manufactured byWhatman, Inc.), and treated filter papers, such as FTA® and FTA® Elutebrand paper (also manufactured by Whatman, Inc).

In the example of FIG. 1 d, the holding portion 104 comprises an accessslot 120 defining a holding position for holding the card 118, andfacilitating the insertion and removal of the card 118 into and from thecompartment 116. The internal dimensions of the compartment 116 may bearranged to correspond to the external dimensions of the card 118, sothat the card 118 is held firmly in place by an interference fit.Alternatively or additionally, the compartment 116 may comprise otherholding means for holding the card 118 in place; in the example shown inFIG. 1 d, a sprung clamp 122 is provided to provide a clamping force tohold the card 118 in place. Other types of holding means may be used. Insome embodiments, the compartment 116 comprises a door 124 (not shown)which may be opened to insert and remove the card 118, and closed tohold the card 118 in place.

In some embodiments, the card 118 comprises a removable protective filmcovering the biological sample storage medium 119. The removableprotective film forms an impermeable seal that provides a barrier toprevent contamination of the storage medium 119. The removableprotective film may be made from a flexible polymer or any othersuitable material. Typically, the removable protective film is removedand discarded prior to use of the device. In some embodiments, theremovable protective film may be replaceable, to provide protection tothe storage medium 119 after use.

Use of the cover 106, and in particular the recess 126, to transfer asample from the collection medium 114 to the storage medium 119 is nowdescribed in relation to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. The collection portion 108is shown in the transfer position and a card 118 holding a storagemedium 119 is shown in place in the holding portion 104.

FIG. 2 a shows the configuration of the cover 106 when no force isapplied to the recess 126. The recess 126 is connected to the rest ofthe cover 106 by a flexible joint 202. The flexible joint 202 hassufficient resilience that when it is displaced by application of anexternal force, it will relax to that position when the force isremoved. The collection portion 108 sits in the recess 126, and thecollection medium 114 is separated from the storage medium 119.

When a force is applied to the top surface of the recess 126, theconfiguration of the cover 106 changes to that shown in FIG. 2 b. Thebottom face of the recess transmits the force to the plate 112 of thecollection portion 108 and consequently, the collection portion 108moves towards the holding portion, and the collection medium 114 ispushed against the storage medium 119 held on the card 118; if thecollection medium 114 is loaded with a sample, at least some of thesample is thus transferred to the storage medium.

When the force is removed, the resilience of the flexible joint 202provides a restoring force that causes the recess 126 to relax to theconfiguration shown in FIG. 2 a. The arm 110 is also arranged to havesufficient resilience such that, after the force has been removed, itreturns to the position shown in FIG. 2 a, with the collection medium114 of the collection portion 108 positioned apart from the storagemedium 119 held on the card 118; the gap thus created facilitates dryingof the sample after transfer to the storage medium.

Transfer of a biological sample from the collection medium 114 to thebiological sample storage medium 119 may thus be implemented without theoperator coming into direct contact with the sample collection portion108. Furthermore, since the transfer of the sample is implemented by theuse of a sample transfer means such as a cover 106, with the collectionportion 108 being located between the cover 106 the holding portion 104,the sample transfer means can also be used to hold the collectionportion in place subsequent to transfer of the sample. This isadvantageous since, in order to improve traceability of the sample,after transfer of the sample to the biological sample storage medium,the latter is typically not removed from the device 100, with the device100 including the storage medium 119 storing the sample instead beingplaced into a bag and transported to a laboratory or other facility forprocessing; it is therefore advantageous to hold the collection portion108 in place in the transfer position, in order that any portion of thesample remaining on the collection medium 114 does not spread within thebag. The cover 106, or other sample transfer means, can thus be used toperform a dual function, simplifying the structure of the device 100.Further, the cover 106 may be arranged to be substantially flat, so thatno protrusions are present in the device 100, preventing the bag inwhich it is contained from being punctured or otherwise damaged duringtransport.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b shows a biological sample collection device 300 inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Thebiological sample collection device 300 of this embodiment comprises abody portion 302, which includes a holding portion 304 connected to acover 306, and a collection portion 308, which is connected to the bodyportion 302 by a movable arm 310. The collection portion 308 comprises aplate 312 and a collection medium 314. The holding portion 304 comprisesa compartment 316 for holding a biological sample storage medium (notshown). Unless otherwise indicated, the various components of thebiological sample collection device 300 of this second embodiment havethe same features of the corresponding components of the biologicalsample collection device 100 of the first embodiment described above.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3 a, the arm 310 is able to rotate about aswivel joint 332, which allows the collection portion 308 to rotateabout a fixed axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of theholding portion 304 (i.e. the plane that the holding portion 304 definesfor holding a biological sample storage medium). A gap is providedbetween the holding portion 304 and the cover 306, through which thecollection portion 308 may pass; the gap is preferably large enough sothat the collection portion can pass through easily without anybiological sample on the collection medium 314 coming into contact withany part of the body portion 302. The flexibility of the arm 310 allowsthe collection portion 308 to be manoeuvred into the gap between theholding portion 304 and the cover 306, and subsequently enables thecollection portion to locate in the recess 320. Accordingly, in thisembodiment, the cover 306 may be fixedly connected to the holdingportion 304, with no cover hinge or other movable connection used.

Thus, the collection portion 308 may be moved between a collectionposition, in which the arm 310 is fully extended as shown in FIG. 3 b,and a transfer position (not shown in the Figures) in which thecollection portion 308 is located between the cover 306 and the holdingportion 304.

When the collection portion 308 is in the collection position (i.e. thedevice 300 is in the collection configuration), the biological samplecollection device 300 is in a collection configuration, suitable forcollecting a biological sample, as described above in relation to FIG. 1a.

When the collection portion 308 is in the transfer position (i.e. thedevice is in the transfer configuration), the collection medium 312 isheld apart from the holding portion 304, so that it is not held incontact with a biological storage medium held therein. A biologicalsample held on the biological sample collection medium may betransferred to the sample storage medium by use of a recess 326, asdescribed above in relation to FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

Alternative Arrangements

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show a first alternative arrangement for a biologicalsample collection device 400 comprising a collection portion 408 and aholding portion 404, the collection portion 408 being connected to theholding portion 404 by an arm 410. Unless otherwise indicated, thevarious components of this first alternative biological samplecollection device 400 have the same features as the correspondingcomponents of the biological sample collection device 100 of firstembodiment described above.

The holding portion 404 comprises a compartment 416 for holding a card418 or other biological sample holding medium; the arrangement shown inFIGS. 4 a and 4 b includes sprung clamps 422 for holding a biologicalsample storage medium, which may be held on a card 114 as describedabove, in place in the holding portion 404. The collection portion 408is movably connected to the holding portion 404 by a slide joint 432which allows the arm 410 to be extended and retracted, so that thecollection portion 408 can move between a collection position, in whichthe arm 410 is fully extended as shown in FIG. 4 a and a transferposition, in which the collection portion 408 is located so that thecollection medium is arranged facing the sample storing portion, asshown in FIG. 4 b. A handle 411 is provided on the arm 412 at an endopposite to that at which the collection portion 408 is located tofacilitate extension and retraction of the arm 410. When the samplecollection portion 408 is in the transfer position, the operator maypress directly on the sample collection portion 408 in order to transfera sample collected on the sample collection medium to the biologicalsample storage medium. Although not shown, a tab lock may beincorporated into the arrangement to maintain the collection portion 408in a position separated from the card 418 or other biological samplestorage medium for subsequent storage and shipping.

This first alternative arrangement of a biological sample collectiondevice 400 is compact, and requires no parts protruding out of the planeof the device, making it convenient for storage and transportation.

FIG. 5 shows a second alternative arrangement for a biological samplecollection device 500 comprising a collection portion 512 and a holdingportion 504. Unless otherwise indicated, the various components of thissecond alternative biological sample collection device 500 may have thesame features as the corresponding components of the biological samplecollection device 100 of first embodiment described above. Inparticular, the collection portion 512 is connected to the holdingportion 504 by a movable arm 510, which includes a hinge 532 or otherswivel joint, allowing the collection portion 512 to move between atransfer position and a collection position in the same way as thecollection portion 108 described above in relation to FIGS. 1 a, 1 b,and 1 c.

The device 500 comprises a lock for locking the collection portion inthe transfer position. In the example of FIG. 5, the lock comprises astub 511 located on an each outer edge of a distal portion 510 b of thearm 510, each of the stubs corresponding in size and position to asocket 513 located on the outer edges of a proximal portion 510 a of thearm. In the example shown there are two sockets 513 arranged to receiverespective stubs 511. The stubs 511 engage with the sockets 513 when thestubs 511 are brought into physical contact with the sockets 513 and anappropriately directed force is applied. The configuration of thesockets 513 is such that the stubs 511 may be removed from the sockets513 by the application of an appropriate force applied in the oppositedirection to the force that is required to engage the locks. Whentransferring a sample from the sample collection medium to a biologicalsample storage medium, an operator may apply a force directly to thesample collection portion 502, pushing the sample collection medium 514against the card 518 or other biological sample storage medium held inthe compartment 516 of the holding portion 408. Since there is a locklocated on each side of the arm, the sample collection portion 512 canbe held firmly in position during transfer of the sample, enabling aneven transfer onto the sample storage medium.

Although the arrangements described above in relation to FIG. 4 and FIG.5 do not include any cover or other sample transfer means, it will beunderstood that these arrangements could be modified to include suchsample transfer means, in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

Typically, the biological sample collection devices 100, 300, 400, 500described above are supplied with a card 118 in place in the holdingportion 104. However, in some circumstances the card 118 may be suppliedseparately from the device 100. Typically, the device 100, 300, 400, 500is for single-use; however, in some applications the card 118 and/or thecollection medium 110 may be removed and replaced.

The biological sample devices 100, 300, 400, 500 described above maycomprise an identification tag comprising identification information.The tag may be printed directly onto the device 100, or be incorporatedonto an adhesive label, or be added to the device 100 by any othermeans. The tag may comprise textual and/or graphical informationincluding sample identification numbers, donor details, and/or a barcoderelating to such details stored remotely in a database. Other types oftag may be used, for example an RFID tag.

The device 100, 300, 400, 500 may be manufactured from a plasticsmaterial using an injection moulding process. The plastics materialshould be compliant enough to allow temporary deformation of resilientparts of the device 100, 300, 400, 500 that are required to deform, whensubjected to a suitable externally applied force, and to relax to theiroriginal positions, upon removal of the externally applied force. Theplastics material may also be selected such that it does not easilybuild up a static charge when handled, since such static charge cancause problems such as different collection devices 100, 300, 400, 500sticking together, interfering with handling. An exemplary suitableplastics material is polypropylene homopolymer resin. However, any othersuitable plastics material could be used as an alternative.

The above described biological sample collection devices 100, 300, 400,500 are typically used for collection of biological samples such assaliva, blood or other bodily fluids. Samples collected by operation ofthe device 100, 300, 400, 500 may be subjected to processing such as DNAor RNA amplification procedures, for example as polymerase chainreaction (PCR) procedures.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples ofthe invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. Forexample, in some cases it may be desirable to remove and discard thecollection portion after use, effectively converting the body portion102 into a stand-alone storage device. For this purpose, a weak pointmay be included in the arm, or where the arm connects to the bodyportion 102.

Although the use of a recess portion 126, 326 is described above inrelations to the first and second embodiments for the transfer of thebiological sample, in some embodiments, no recess is used. Instead thecover 106, 306 may be arranged to be sufficiently flexible such that apushing force exerted thereon forces the collection medium 114, 312 topress against the biological sample storage medium, for example.

In addition, although the swivel joints 132, 332, 532 described aboveallowed swivelling in one plane only, embodiments of the invention arenot limited to such movement; for example, in some embodiments a balland socket joint may be used, which enables swivelling in any arbitraryplane.

Further, it is to be understood that any feature described in relationto any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with otherfeatures described, and may also be used in combination with one or morefeatures of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of anyother of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications notdescribed above may also be employed without departing from the scope ofthe invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

1. A method of collecting a biological sample in a biological samplecollection device, comprising: (a) collecting the biological specimenonto a collection portion carrying a biological sample collectionmedium; and (b) transferring the biological specimen to a body portioncomprising a storage medium holding portion for holding a biologicalsample storage medium at a holding position, and a sample transfer coverportion, the collection portion being movably connected to the bodyportion, whereby the biological sample collection device is capable ofbeing configured according to a first configuration and according to asecond, different, configuration, wherein: in said first configuration,the collection portion is at a first position spatially separated fromthe body portion for collecting a biological sample on the biologicalsample collection medium; and in said second configuration, thecollection portion is at a second position at least partly between thesample storage medium holding portion and the sample transfer coverportion, and the sample transfer cover portion is operable to apply aforce to the collection portion, whereby said collection portion iscompelled towards said holding position so that, when the storage mediumholding portion holds a biological sample storage medium, the biologicalsample collection medium is pushed against said biological samplestorage medium; wherein when the collection portion is at said secondposition, the collection portion is at least partly enclosed by thesample transfer cover portion and the storage medium holding portion. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein, when the collection portion is at saidsecond position, the biological sample collection medium is in aposition separated from said holding position.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the collection portion is connected to the body portion via anarm portion which is arranged to flex from said second position towardsthe holding position in response to said force.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the sample transfer cover portion includes a compressiblerecess portion, and said operation of the sample transfer cover portioncomprises compression of the recess portion.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein said recess portion has at least one dimension substantiallymatching a corresponding dimension of the collection portion, so thatthe collection portion may locate in said recess portion when the deviceis in the second configuration.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thecollection portion is connected to the storage medium holding portionvia a swivel joint, which enables the collection portion to move betweensaid first position and said second position.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the storage medium holding portion defines a plane for holdingsaid biological sample storage medium, and the swivel joint enables thecollection portion to swivel about an axis substantially within saidplane.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the storage medium holdingportion defines a plane for holding said biological sample storagemedium, and the swivel joint enables the collection portion to swivelabout an axis substantially perpendicular to said plane.
 9. The methodof claim 8, wherein a gap is provided between said sample cover portionmeans and said storage medium holding portion and the swivel jointenables the collection portion to move through said gap.
 10. The methodof claim 1, wherein the collection portion is connected to the storagemedium holding portion via a slide joint, which enables sliding movementof the collection portion between said first position and said secondposition.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said sample transfer meansis movably connected to said storage medium portion between an openposition, for facilitating movement of the collection portion from saidfirst position to said second position, and a closed position forenabling operation of the sample transfer means to apply said force. 12.The method of claim 1, comprising a lock for locking said sampletransfer cover portion in at least one of said closed position and saidopen position.
 13. The method of claim 1, comprising a lock for lockingsaid collection portion in at least one of said first position and saidsecond position.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the samplecollection medium comprises an absorbent material for absorbing a liquidbiological sample.
 15. The method of claim 1, comprising a biologicalsample storage medium held in said storage medium holding portion. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the biological sample storage medium isremovable from said storage medium holding portion.
 17. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the biological sample storage medium comprises a planarmembrane for absorbing liquid biological samples.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the biological sample storage medium is held on acard.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the biological samplecollection device is made from a plastics material.